Foodie news in Dubai

We keep tabs on Gary Rhodes's Dubai activity

By
Oliver Robinson
02 April 2012

This week’s Insider is awash with tea – afternoon tea – because Gary Rhodes (OBE, no less) has recently launched his new afternoon tea, Rhodes in Residence at Grosvenor House Tower 2 (not to be confused with the one in Tower 1). Of course, Sir Gaz won’t actually be in residence for each and every tea, but there will be plenty of quaint English staples, such as finger sandwiches, freshly baked cakes and pastries on hand to keep guests happy. Tea is served daily between 3pm and 6pm, and prices range from Dhs150 (for the classic package) to Dhs275 (which includes soft drinks and a glass of posh bubbly). Pinkies up.

Gary Rhodes has evidently been a busy boy this month – he’s launched a new menu at his Le Méridien steakhouse Rhodes Twenty10 in a renewed effort to compete with Dubai’s plethora of top-notch steakhouses, we’re guessing. Diners can now enjoy mains such as pork and apple burger with caramelised apple, watercress and crispy pork crackling, or the maple-glazed duck confit burger. Those with a sweet tooth can bite into warm chocolate pudding, with mint ice cream, chocolate jelly and walnut. Time Out’s team of reviewers have set off across the city once again in preparation for the 2013 Restaurant Awards, so keep an eye online to see how Rhodes Twenty10 and other established restaurants are faring.

Meanwhile, the Madinat Jumeirah is readying itself for the Annual Tiger Chilli Crab Festival, which begins on Friday April 13 (lucky for some) and runs until Saturday 14 from 10am until midnight on both days. Crab craziness will ensue in the Madinat Jumeirah Amphitheatre and will feature what has been described as ‘lively food-focused activities for adults and children alike’. Food-focused activities? What, like eating? Other than Singaporean chilli crab, the event will feature plenty more South-East Asian delights, such as dim sum and satay. Lip-smacking fun.

Scuttling sideways over to Dubai Marina, the knives are out (in a good way) for the launch of the second Ruth’s Chris Steak House, which opens in the Address Dubai Marina in late April. In comparison to the modest (dare we say intimate) environs of the original at The Monarch Dubai, this latest instalment will be quite enormous, featuring an extensive outdoor terrace – whether it’ll be cool enough to use remains to be seen – and a large bar-lounge area that offers a completely different (and much cheaper) menu to the main restaurant.

Finally, we feel duty bound to direct your attention to this week’s food events, which are bursting with Easter (read: chocolate) promotions and meal deals. If ever there was an excuse to gorge on chocolate, it’s this. And with that, we bid you farewell and bon appétit.